Furniture paint calculator
Furniture takes far less paint than a wall, so small tins are the norm — and buying the right size avoids waste. Add up the visible faces, multiply by the coats and divide by the coverage on the tin.
Your measurements
Result
- Total area to cover
- 6.00 m²
- Paint needed
- 0.75 L
Coverage depends on the wood (raw or sanded) and the product (paint, varnish, oil) — it is printed on the tin.
How the calculation works
- Total area = surface of the piece × number of coats.
- Litres needed = total area ÷ coverage of the product (m²/L).
Worked example
A cabinet with 3 m² of surface painted in two coats is 6 m²; at 8 m² per litre you need 0.75 litres — a 0.75 L or 1 L tin.
What the calculator assumes
- The surface includes all visible faces: top, sides, doors, drawers and legs.
- About 8 m²/L is typical for wood paints and enamels; varnishes and oils differ and the figure is on the tin.
When to adjust the result
- Raw wood absorbs a lot on the first coat — a primer or a thinned first coat reduces consumption and improves adhesion.
- On glossy or melamine furniture, paint only holds after sanding and an adhesion primer.
Preparing furniture so paint lasts
Preparation decides the result. Clean off grease with a degreaser, sand to a matt surface (120–180 grit), remove the dust and apply a primer suited to the surface — an adhesion primer on varnish, melamine or laminate, a stain-blocking primer on knotty or tannin-rich wood.
Apply thin coats with a good brush or a foam roller and sand lightly with fine paper between coats. Let paint cure before heavy use: it may be dry to the touch in hours but take one to two weeks to reach full hardness.
Frequently asked questions
How much paint to paint a dresser?
Measure its visible faces (often 2–4 m²), multiply by two coats and divide by about 8 m²/L — usually under a litre.
Can I paint over varnished furniture?
Yes, after cleaning, sanding to a matt finish and applying an adhesion primer.
Chalk paint or enamel?
Chalk paint is easy and matt but needs wax or varnish to resist wear; enamel or acrylic furniture paint is harder-wearing straight away.
Do I need to strip old varnish?
Usually not — sanding to a matt finish plus an adhesion primer is enough, unless the varnish is flaking.